Five people have died and 10 others were rescued after a diesel tanker crashed into several vehicles along the Iwo Road–Ojoo Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The fatal accident occurred on Saturday, October 17, 2026, around Aduloju Bus Stop, opposite Dominion City, leaving several vehicles badly damaged.
The tanker was reportedly carrying 45,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, when it lost control and collided with other vehicles.
The Oyo State Fire Service confirmed that five victims died in the crash, while 10 people were rescued alive.
How the Ibadan tanker accident happened
According to the Oyo State Fire Service, its emergency team received a distress call at about 11:42 a.m. on Saturday and immediately proceeded to the scene.
The agency said the tanker, with registration number B14R316XB, somersaulted before crashing into a Nissan Micra with registration number AGG669XK. It subsequently collided with three other vehicles.
The impact left the affected vehicles severely damaged and prompted emergency responders to work to rescue victims.
The fire service said five bodies were recovered and handed over to police officers from the Kajorepo Divisional Police Headquarters. Ten other people were rescued alive.
The agency also deployed personnel to the scene to reduce the risk of a fire outbreak because of the large quantity of diesel carried by the tanker.
Brake failure suspected as cause of crash
Preliminary findings by the Oyo State Fire Service indicated that brake failure caused the tanker to lose control.
However, reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other sources differed on some details surrounding the incident. The final circumstances of the crash should therefore be treated with caution pending the outcome of any further investigation.
The General Manager of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), Ayoade Adeoye, also confirmed the incident to The Punch.
According to the report, a traffic build-up linked to an earlier breakdown involving a trailer carrying motor spare parts contributed to the circumstances leading to the accident.
The earlier trailer reportedly broke down around Arilogu at about 5 a.m., several hours before the tanker crash.
Emergency agencies respond to the scene
Officials of the Oyo State Fire Service, OYRTMA, FRSC and the police responded to the incident.
The emergency teams worked to rescue victims, secure the area and manage traffic along the busy expressway.
The crash highlights the dangers posed by heavy-duty vehicles on busy roads, particularly when mechanical problems occur amid traffic congestion.
It also underscores the importance of regular vehicle maintenance, prompt attention to mechanical faults and effective management of broken-down vehicles on major roads.
As of the latest reports reviewed for this story, the authorities had confirmed five deaths and 10 rescues. Further details about the rescued victims’ medical conditions were not established in the reports.
WeGoTalk will update this report if the authorities release further verified information about the victims or the investigation.
